Summer 2002
PLACES: Sacramento Gets More Walkable and Bikable
 According
to national livable communities expert Dan Burden, a series of policy
changes by its City Council has put Sacramento into the top echelon
of U.S. cities in creating a pleasant, safe traveling environment.
The actions arose in part from a week-long series of meetings,
workshops and field visits by Burden this spring. For local streets,
travel lane widths will be reduced to 10 feet when possible. The
pavement width gained will be used to widen bike lanes or create
a buffer lane between the travel and parking lanes. Narrow travel
lanes are also believed to discourage automobile speeding.
The City will install marked crosswalks at all signalized intersections
unless determined to be unsafe. High visibility crosswalks will
be considered for intersections with high levels of pedestrian activity.
 To
buffer pedestrians from traffic and to prevent auto-pedestrian collisions,
the City will also install a new 24-inch stop line for automobiles
seven feet back from the crosswalk. As part of its revised street
standards, sidewalks must be separated from the curb with a landscaping
strip. Rolled curbs, which allow cars to roll up onto the sidewalk,
will be prohibited. Bike lanes and sidewalk widths will also be
increased.
"We are thrilled with the Mayor's and City Council's decision to
immediately undertake some of Dan Burden's recommendations. We are
seeing the new 7' stop bars going in all over town as new asphalt
overlays are installed. Sacramento could become the most walkable
city in California!" said an overjoyed Anne Geraghty, Executive
Director for Walk Sacramento.
Later this year, the Public Works Department will also bring recommendations
to establish a citywide roundabout pilot program and approve a Citywide
Pedestrian Safety Strategies policy to the City Council.
The City has been engaged in traffic calming for two and a half
years. Mayor Heather Fargo invited Burden back to Sacramento after
Burden spoke at a Pedestrian Safety Forum in Sacramento in April
2001 sponsored by the Surface Transportation Policy Project.
For details: Marty Hanneman, City of Sacramento Traffic Engineer,
mhanneman@cityofsacramento.org
For more information on creating walkable
communities:
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